Surprisingly good
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I am always suspicious when I read an enthusiastic review for a book by an author I have never heard of - after all, even rubbish authors might have one or two friends. So, first, I do not know the author and do not even know their sex, although a reference to a husband in the acknowledgements suggests, but does not guarantee, that the author is female. The story is of a rather dystopian future - it could be anywhere, but it is set in New London and the currency appears to be euros, so presumably Britain. The main viewpoint character is a combination of detective and torturer, a job which the author makes appear as routine as any other office job. He seems to be bisexual (there are references to his having screwed women), but the only sex described in the book is between him and another man. If you are gay, I would not buy the book for the sex; by the same token, if you are not gay, I would not be put off by the fairly mild sex, which is, in fact, crucial to the plot. The author has pictured a world where the European Union is very much in charge and very much, as now, undemocratic, with all authority vested in an appointed bureaucracy. To some extent, the power of the bureaucracy ("The Administration") is balanced by powerful corporations, although we do not see much of those. The cover of the book proclaims that it is the first of the "Administration Series" - I shall be interested to see the second, should it appear. This one is a simple murder mystery with the added complication that the deaths might have been caused by a newly developed virtual reality device. As others have said, none of the characters is "good" and none is particularly sympathetic, but that seems reasonable given who they are. The mystery is resolved before the end of the book, and the actual ending took me somewhat by surprise. I am not sure what impelled me to buy the book, and, when I came to read it, I had not expected to enjoy it - I took another book to my chair, expecting to give this one up after a few pages. To my surprise, I enjoyed it. Try it. You may also.
I am not sure that I would go along with the 5 stars others have given it - I doubt I will reread this book - but it easily merits 4 stars.
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one of the best things I've ever read
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Whether you categorise this under scifi or urban fantasy or erotica or gay - because of the relationship between the two main characters - it remains one of the best books I have ever read. I'm so pleased to see it in print. The world Manna builds is uncompromising and often harsh, but also littered with human frailty and passion and humor and confusion and determination. There is an excellent cast of other characters, who prove to be far more than subsidiary, with a refreshing balance of men and women. The plot is good and just challenging enough to balance the relationship development. The sex is hot beyond heat, though in my opinion that's because of the connection the reader makes with the characters of Toreth and Kier. It's far more complex than just a gay, erotic affair. Anyway, it's not often I try to read more slowly as a book continues because I'm depressed at getting to the end! Read it if you like strong, flawed men who are desperately and passionately drawn to each other, and a mature plot.
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Somewhere between Good and Evil
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Make no mistake: these guys aren't nice. Torturer, interrogator and investigator Val Toreth has been aptly described as a sociopath, and it could be argued that Keir Warrick, high-powered corporate businessman, is no better, if on other terms.
Both men clash when Keir Warrick's company presents its virtual reality machine, which Val Toreth's government branch could really use for their own - sinister - ends. When several murders appear to be linked with the machines, Val Toreth gets to investigate the case. Keir Warrick fights for nothing less that the company he founded, and the virtual reality he appears to be more than a little addicted to. Plus, the company urgently needs another round of funding from its sponsors and investors, and a full-blown scandal could rip the whole thing apart.
Toreth and Warrick share a strong, physical attraction to each other, even though they are at odds, and sleeping with a suspect and/or witness isn't the most professional thing Toreth has ever done. This is not a happy love story, both men take advantage of each other, both agree it's "just sex", but nevertheless they end up as allies, both brilliant, manipulative, arrogant, fantastically detailed and intense men.
This is a corporate/tech thriller set in a dystopian future where torture and execution is part of the normal justice system. The writing, plotting, psychology, and the very intense erotic moments in the book provided one of the most satisfying reads I've had in a while (started yesterday afternoon and stopped, interrupted by sleep, only at noon). I do hope the other parts of the series come out soon.
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